Homehttps://server7.kproxy.com/servlet/redirect.srv/sruj/smyrwpoii/p2/Worldhttps://server7.kproxy.com/servlet/redirect.srv/sruj/smyrwpoii/p2/How did one of the safest cities in the world disappear in the violence?

How did one of the safest cities in the world disappear in the violence?

As any metropolis of seven million will have some crimes, violence is unusual – nearly 2,600 violent crimes were recorded by the police in the first four months of this year compared with over 70,000 cases of violence against the person in metropolitan London, a city-sized city.

At the same time, there were 29 robberies in Hong Kong, while London saw more than 12,500.

Even amidst protests and mass marches, an integral part of Hong Kong's political culture, the situation is almost always peaceful and secure. The 2014 Umbrella Movement is an example of this attitude, with protesters setting up recycling stations, internet cafes and art installations in key areas occupied, and parents with small children and businessmen visiting them during lunchtime and on Saturdays and Sundays.

The use of tear gas and pepper spray by Hong Kong police during the early hours of 201

4 protests in an unsuccessful attempt to clear the crowds caused by shock and insult, and inspired more people to take in the streets. Police handling over the remaining three-month work is more measurable, and the protesters are not completely cleaned up until their columns are over and tiresome.

Scenes Wednesday can not be more different.

The police fired a circle after the tear gas rotation, many of them without warning, and deployed spray pepper and rubber bullets to protesters who were unmoved. Videos showed police in some instances getting no ground protests and cutting them into batons, and CNN saw police guns that fired rubber bullets with publishers and backs the protesters.

Police and government officials described Wednesday's protests – A very controversial extradition bill with China was due to its second reading in the legislature – as a riot, and said they were handled accordingly, through Officials with heavy protective gear and gas masks.

"These injuries, damaging to social peace and disregard of the law, are not satisfied with any civilized society that respects the rule of law," said Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam.

Destruction of violence

like a recurrence of the Umbrella Movement. Protestants took control of major roads around the legislature and blankets, building first aid stands and food distribution, water and anti-tear gas.

Spokesperson gave talks to the crowd, congratulating them for standing in government and police – which looked totally wrong by the speed at which the protesters took the roads and blocked the public complex.

"(It) falls on a demonstration of the power of the people in Hong Kong, a manifestation of the particular power of the youth," the opposition lawmaker Claudia Mo told tens of thousands gathered, in large concern.

"You have the right … children have the right to express their feelings, their anger, their disappointment, their hatred in any way they want, because it's their Hong Kong, their future. "

When he made that statement, the crowd's crowd and the protesters' determination meant that a high level of strength was enough to clear them, something that was the last experience Umbrella protests day seems more likely, the police are not prepared to force a confrontation by attempting to clear the roads.

But police tactics this week were quite different from five years ago. Far from the recession, the armed riot squad gathered in the downtown district of Admiralty, as protesters tried to push barricades to legislative and central government buildings.

After the protesters attacked Tim Wa Avenue, the road to the entrance of the building, the police expelled their first canister gas tears. Fasterly followed, even protesters have taken the streets and stepped in by many officials within the complex government.

The reinforcement came tough, fired tear gas and pepper spray before charging protestors with batons. In a public statement Wednesday, government officials said protesters had thrown bricks and sharpened poles, but CNN saw only umbrellas, plastic bottles and plastic protective helmets used as projectiles.

Operation clearance continues hours of the night, bringing most city centers to a grinding, with major subway stations and roads either closed or limits due to clouds of teargas .

At least 79 people were wounded in clashes, some seriously, compared to around 40 on the first night of the 2014 protest, none of whom were seriously injured. At a press conference Thursday night, Hong Kong Police Commissioner Steven Lo Wai-chung said 11 people were arrested on Wednesday's protests on improper conduct charges in a public place, unlawful meetings, and attacks on a police officer.

He said that 22 policemen were injured during the protests, although it was not clear if the 79 wounded included the number of police injured.

Lo said that protesters have acted violently in an organized way with bricks and sharpened metal poles police attacks. "We have no choice but to strengthen the use of force," says Lo. "We strongly condemn the violent behavior of rioters."

Break from the norm

The violence seen on Wednesday was surprised at Hong I, particular police videos firing rounds at the point blank and smuggling land protesters, a visual reminder of fears about what might have happened if the city was losing its independence in Beijing.

However, the more aggressive tactics of young protesters compared to 2014 – mostly came masked and wearing protection against tear gas and pepper spray – also attracted some criticisms, especially from pro-government sector, and reinforced Lam's say they've started a chaos.

Can not defend, protesters have fought the police more than they did in 2014, but compared to scenes from Paris or Catalonia, where demonstrations also face very difficult policing, they are less likely and aggressively towards officials.

While the Hong Kong government accused protesters of "setting fire (and) damaging nearby public facilities," CNN reporter throughout protests did not see evidence of this. No vehicles or wheels were burned, and the protesters were careful to keep the sites clean, even to set up recycling stations.

Peace was restored on Thursday, but the government refused to back down to extradition bills and protesters determined to stop it, it remains to see how long it will take.